$50,000 gift may help Parkland buy solar-powered garbage cans

June 16, 2010|By Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel

PARKLAND — The city has encouraged business owners to use solar lighting and paid rebates to residents who buy hybrid cars.

On Tuesday, Boca Raton philanthropist Irving Schatz, 84, gave Parkland $50,000 to keep up the green work. Mayor Michael Udine said Schatz told him to use the money for "anything interesting and innovative."

Udine plans to propose installing garbage cans — at $3,500 a pop — that use solar power to compact trash.

"That keeps trucks off the roads," said Waste Management spokesman John Albert. So far the solar garbage cans are used only in the Northeast, he said.

The family foundation of Schatz, a retired real estate developer, has donated to the Rotary Club, Pine Crest Preparatory School and Jewish causes, among other things, according to state corporate records.

Schatz said he was impressed with Parkland's green efforts. He wants city leaders to "use their imagination" to make the world a better place.

Udine was scheduled to honor Schatz at Wednesday night's commission meeting. "I am flattered that he noticed our initiatives and the city will definitely put these dollars to good use," the mayor said.